Paterson wants to make mid-year budget cuts

Gov. David Paterson was in New York City today and delivered remarks to the Greater New York Hospital Association Annual Meeting.

In the Q&A, Paterson said he wanted legislators to re-open the before the legislative session ends in June so that more cuts can be made, given the grim economic outlook and falling revenue projections.

Paterson said that he hasn’t yet consulted Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver or Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno, but he plans to and believes that it just makes sense, even in an election year.

“I think intellectually they completely understand the situation,” Mr. Paterson said. “There are some political dynamics, it’s an election year, there’s a contest for the leadership of the Senate.”

“My point is, if it’s an election year, the first one who tells the public that they are willing to do this, and says it behind closed doors in addition to the public, will win those elections,” he said.